The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

-Ps. 23:1-6

Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – 'come boss, 'come boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?!

Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long! But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

As I've sat at the hospital these last few days watching my 84 year old Dad received his knee replacement & also go thru the ups & downs of the fluctuating heartbeat with my little 82 year old mother, I couldn't help but think of this music video that Shirley Brown shared on FB recently . . . Good Old Days. As I watched the two of them many memories flooded my mind as I thought about all of the "good old days" they have spent together. This week mom & dad will be celebrating 64 years of marriage! And with this union of 64 years my two brothers and myself have so many precious memories of life growing up on the farm with all of the hard work, the fun, the many life lessons learned and a home filled with lots of abundant love and laughter. Take a moment & enjoy this video! :)

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

"Trust Me"- just two little words but I must say, two powerful little words! What does it mean to trust . . . to really trust in someone or something? In looking at the word "trust" I think it actually has multiple meanings. A full definition would include some of the following: To believe someone or something is reliable, good, honest, truthful, effective. To have confidence or to have total dependence. To hope or expect something is true. It is said that our relationships are founded on mutual love and trust. Our confidence, credence and conviction, our faith and hope, our stock and surety, our acceptance and assurance, our dependence and our reliance on a certain place, person, or thing. These are the building blocks that "trust" is built upon!

"A hope is more than resolve, and it is based on trust in a divine faithfulness that operates not only within history, but also beyond history". -John Polkinghorne, Times Literary Supplement

Here are some "Power Verses" to help you:

Trust God; He is the Stronghold

Psalm 18:2“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. ”

Trust God; He is the Protector

2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”

Job 13:15“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

Psalm 7:1“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”

Isaiah 26:3“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

Trust God; Nothing on Earth Can Compare

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 32:10 “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.”

Psalm 118:8“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Proverbs 3:5“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Something to Consider: What are you trusting in? Where is your trust?

Are you putting your faith and trust in the things of this world - in houses, land, possessions, people, places, money, governments? Or is your faith and trust in the Lord?

Someone once said, "Some people seem to trust God with their eternal salvation, but they have trouble trusting Him for their every-day life". Every-day life, day in and day out, can have a whole lot of "faith-builders" which will help to increase your trust in every area of your life whatever the situation may be. Take each and every day as it comes, adjust your attitude, focus your faith, and put your trust to the ultimate test . . . TRUST GOD and GOD ALONE!

Take comfort from the above scripture words. You CANtrust God with whatever your needs may beTODAY.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Here's some "Words of Wisdom" . . .Music is a picture painted on a background of silence . . .The one rowing the boat is never the one who rocks it . . .Do what you can, with what you have, where you are . . .

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up . . .

Compassion is what makes a person feel pain when someone else hurts . . .The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without it . . .When you feel terrific, notify your face . . .Don't do only what you like to do, but learn to like what has to be done . . . A discussion seeks what is right - an argument seeks who is right . . .

The food that never goes up in price is food for thought . . .

I collect quotes - I think the wisdom of people's quotes is priceless. They speak first hand of what that person has learned and gained through the knowledge, experience, time and lessons in life. We can learn much from those around us and from the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Those who have been there and done that . . .

Saturday, November 2, 2013

I had an interesting week... I went to Oklahoma for a couple of days. Never been there but enjoyed the shops, antiques, and fun! Got back & went to work Wed. - Thurs. & Fri. my computer at work quit working so I couldn't work on the bulletin or newsletter so I only worked a while in the am doing other things I could do. So I went Christmas shopping in the afternoons - only about 50 days away!! I am so excited to go Christmas shopping!!

Last year I was not able to do anything for Christmas or really even Thanksgiving!! By this time last year my 2 brain tumors had enlarged (though I never knew I had them) & kept me from functioning-I was pretty much shutting down, hardly talking and not doing much of anything. It seems I was barely existing. I was there but not really there! Doctors discovered the brain tumors December 7 -operated on December 12. I had about 6 months of recovery including 5.5 months of speech therapy. It took me about 6 months to really feel comfortable talking to people & actually conversing with them and about that long to get my energy level back and feel back to normal physically. So from "May 2013" to "this day", I have improved so much and feel totally back to the "Diana" I used to be!! LOL!!

So this November, I am really excessively, enthusiastic & exuberant and once again on top of the world!! And I can't wait for the holidays . . . to spend a much different holiday routine "this year" as compared to "last year"!! The last 10 months have been a journey I and my family will "never" forget . . . the miracles of life, the miracles of recovery, the miracles of my doctor bills and finances, the miracles of prayer, the miracles of family & friends, & the many day to day awesome miraclesof God alone who knows all and sees all and gives "abundant life". Life is grand! It's great to be "alive"!

Diana Sorenson

Landlady22@aol.com

Hi, there! I'm Diana and I grew up on a little Iowa farm. I have so many memories of those "farm-fresh" days! I live in the city now so I guess that makes me a "city-farm-girl" but my heart is still in the country! As I "graze through life" I always look back to the many life lessons that I learned first hand from life on the farm.

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